2023-05-31 17:40:23
(Quebec) Suffering from early Alzheimer’s, Sandra Demontigny began to cry on Wednesday when she learned that Quebec is giving itself two years to allow advance requests for medical assistance in dying, which will be authorized in the wake of the new Quebec law.
“I did not expect that and especially not two years … Two years is a very long time when you have Alzheimer’s disease and you wait,” lamented Mme Demontigny, who has been campaigning for several years in favor of advance requests for medical assistance in dying (MAD).
Parliamentarians completed Tuesday evening the detailed study of Bill 11 which aims to expand medical assistance in dying. The legislative text which should be adopted by the end of the parliamentary session also makes it possible to make an advance request for this ultimate care.
It was agreed on Tuesday that the regime applicable to advance requests will come into force within a maximum period of 24 months following the adoption of the law, in particular to set up clinical protocols.
“Of course, we would have liked it to be faster, we understand that people will be disappointed, but from the beginning, I mentioned it, it is a priority, but we will do things correctly”, affirmed the Minister for Health and Seniors, Sonia Bélanger.
A news very badly received by the mother of the family. “I won’t hide from you that I immediately started crying in front of my TV. I had a feeling of disappointment and at the same time of frustration because I find that there is so much energy that has been put on it for a long time, ”launched Mme Demontigny.
There were the two parliamentary commissions, the memoirs that were written, and then we come to this, following all these years? I find it difficult to receive.
Sandra Demontigny, who campaigns in favor of advance MA requests
The first bill to expand medical assistance in dying died on the order paper at the end of the last Parliament last year. Bill 11, this time piloted by Mme Bélanger, was presented in February.
“long talks”
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Sonia Belanger
Minister Bélanger explained that “long discussions” had taken place between parliamentarians on Tuesday regarding the 24-month deadline. “It’s because there are still a lot of prerequisites for the implementation [des demandes anticipées]we have to do things well, ”pleaded Mme Belanger.
We have work to do within our government, at the level of our ministry of course, to support people properly. We also want to harmonize with other laws.
Sonia Bélanger, Minister for Health and Seniors
In parliamentary committee, the Barreau du Québec and the College of Physicians had raised concerns regarding advance requests when the Criminal Code does not provide for an exception on the subject, which might make certain provisions of the Quebec law “inapplicable”, according to them.
Liberal MP Jennifer Maccarone is disappointed. “This bill has been prepared, thought out and studied for months, even years! This last minute “surprise” is a shock […]rest assured that we will ensure that the government acts quickly to come and give them some hope,” she added.
Mme Bélanger explained that the 24-month timeframe is a maximum and that the goal is to move forward faster if possible.
precious time
For her part, Sandra Demontigny has the impression of wasting precious time. She fears that she will no longer be able to consent to an advance request within two years. ” I do not know. When I look at the speed of progress for a few years, you can be wrong, but in my horizon, I told myself that it would probably be fine in two, three years. Again, we can be wrong, ”she underlines.
Even if it were accepted that there would be a delay between the adoption of the law and its entry into force, Mr.me Demontigny says the 24-month term “is a major turnaround.”
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